Should Teens Work?

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dr. Laura Call of the Day – Should Teens Work?

Podcast Information:

• Title: Dr. Laura Call of the Day
• Host: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
• Platform: SiriusXM Triumph 111
• Release Date: March 22, 2025
• Episode Title: Should Teens Work?

---

Introduction

In this episode of Dr. Laura Call of the Day, Dr. Laura Schlessinger addresses a common dilemma faced by many parents: whether or not teenagers should take on part-time jobs. With her signature no-nonsense approach, Dr. Laura delves into the nuances of fostering responsibility and personal growth in teens through employment.

Listener Call: Navigating Teen Participation in Sports and Employment

Callers: Kim (48) and Brad (45)
Context: Parents of a high school sophomore facing challenges in his extracurricular activities and contemplating employment.

Summary of the Call: Kim and Brad reach out to Dr. Laura concerned about their son's recent experiences with his high school volleyball team. Last year, he was demoted from a competitive freshman-sophomore team to the freshman team, which has left him disheartened and reluctant to join again. While he has turned to wrestling—a sport he enjoys—they are considering encouraging him to take up a part-time job to keep him engaged throughout the year.

Notable Quotes:

• Caller Kim [02:11]:

  "Our son is a sophomore and last year as a freshman he was very passionate about volleyball... he felt really bad that he was put down a level. But he made it through. He did a great job. And then this year I think it left a bad taste in his mouth and he doesn't want to join again."

• Caller Brad [05:36]:

  "What about the job, Dr. Laura? Is it okay if he says, well, I don't want to do the volleyball, I'd prefer to go and get a job. At 16, in his mind, he feels like he's learning skills."

Dr. Laura’s Guidance: Balancing Sports and Employment for Teen Development

Dr. Laura responds thoughtfully, emphasizing the importance of supporting the teen's interests while also recognizing the value of work experience in fostering independence and responsibility.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Supporting Interests:

   • Dr. Laura [02:29]:

     "When I hear volleyball, that's a team and you have to be tall and healthy and do that... wrestling is not a team sport. It's a one on one. So there are, it's not just through the school. There are going to be teenage wrestling things going on in other places... support what he likes."

2. Encouraging Employment:

   • Dr. Laura [05:51]:

     "He's learning skills to be an adult. That would be great. So find a club. Tell him we'll find club wrestling for you and we'll see how we can fit in some part time work. We support you in that."

3. Valuing Independence:

   • Dr. Laura [06:10]:

     "He wants to earn it, damn it. There are so few kids his age who have that concept and you have a kid who has that concept and you want to undermine it. Tisk, Tisk, Tisk."

Advice to Parents:

• Support Dual Pursuits: Encourage your teen to balance extracurricular activities with part-time work to develop a well-rounded skill set.
• Respect Their Interests: Validate their passions, whether in sports or other areas, to maintain their motivation and self-esteem.
• Foster Responsibility: Allowing teens to earn money teaches them valuable lessons in accountability and financial management.

Conclusion

Dr. Laura wraps up the discussion by reiterating the importance of fostering both personal interests and responsibility through employment in teenagers. She underscores that supporting a teen's desire to earn can significantly contribute to their growth into accountable adults.

Final Thoughts from Dr. Laura [06:39]:

"You're very welcome... If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast."

---

Takeaway:
Allowing teenagers to engage in part-time work while supporting their extracurricular interests can cultivate essential life skills such as responsibility, time management, and financial literacy. Parents are encouraged to find a balanced approach that honors their teen's passions while promoting their growth into independent adults.

Transcript

[T-Mobile Representative]

If you have a locked AT&T phone, we're here with bolt cutters. T Mobile will help pay off your locked phone and give you a new 5G phone for free. All on America's largest 5G network. Visit t mobile.com carrierfreedom via virtual prepaid.

[MasterCard Representative]

MasterCard in 15 days. Free phone up to $830 via 24 monthly bill credits plus tax and a $10 device connection charge. Qualifying port and trade in service on Go 5G next and credit required. Contact us before canceling entire account to continue bill credits or credit stop and balance on required finance agreements. Do you have bill credits and if you pay off devices early thanks for.

[Dr. Laura]

Listening to my Call of the Day podcast. You can hear my live radio program Monday through Friday from 2 to 5pm Eastern Time on Sirius XM Triumph 111 Kim and Brad, welcome to the program.

[Caller Kim]

Hi Dr. Laura hi Dr. Laura.

[Dr. Laura]

Hi. How old are you folks and how long have you been married?

[Caller Kim]

I'm 48.

[Caller Brad]

And I'm 45 and we've been married for 20 fantastic years.

[Dr. Laura]

Dr. Laura Kim, did that make you smile?

[Caller Kim]

It did, it did.

[Dr. Laura]

How come I don't feel convinced?

[Caller Brad]

Not quite the topic.

[Caller Kim]

Yeah, that's not why we're calling, but.

[Dr. Laura]

Sounds like it ought to be. All right, so why are you calling?

[Caller Kim]

Our son is a sophomore and last year as a freshman he was very passionate about volleyball and all of his friends run his team and he was on the team that was a freshman sophomore team. So he felt like he was at a good level. And then they, because of his skills, they kind of demoted him to the freshman team. Which isn't super strange because he was a freshman, but he felt really bad that he was put down a level. But he made it through. He did a great job. And then this year I think it left a bad taste in his mouth and he doesn't want to join again. In fact, he does. He do.

[Dr. Laura]

Does he do any. I prefer he did that. Does he do any other sports?

[Caller Kim]

I hope he's done wrestling and he's committed to that.

[Caller Brad]

He's been good and enjoys that. But it's a small time of the year. It's a small part of the year and we want the rest of the year him to be involved in something.

[Dr. Laura]

Okay. When I hear volleyball, that's a team and you have to be tall and healthy and do that. And he already got demoted so he's not interested. And wrestling is not a team sport. It's a one on one. So there are, it's not just through the school. There are going to be teenage wrestling things going on in other places. Just like not all volleyball is done through the school. There are clubs so you may want to find a wrestling club. That's what he likes, so support what he likes. Please.

[MasterCard Representative]

Experience the Flavors of Latin America event at Whole Foods Market with deals on vibrant ingredients and zesty creations. Store wide save on no antibiotics ever Meat like chicken thighs and marinated skirt steak, fresh avocados plus street food inspired items and more through March 25th at T Mobile.

[T-Mobile Representative]

We'll give you four free 5G phones and four lines for only $25 per line per month with eligible trade ins. And no, it's not a contest, it's every day for a limited time. Everyone's a winner on America's largest 5G network.

[MasterCard Representative]

Minimum of 4 lines for $25 per line per month with autopay discount using debit or bank account. $5 more per line without auto pay up to $830 off each phone via 24 monthly bill credits plus taxes, fees and $10 device connection charge for well qualified customers. Contact us before canceling entire account to continue bill credits or credit stop and balance on required finance agreement to bill credits and if you pay UP devices.

[Dr. Laura]

Early ct mobile.com did you know that skin care can start in the laundry room? The Dr. Laura program is happy to be partnering with our sponsor All Free Clear Laundry Detergent. My peeps with kids are especially thrilled to use it because it's 100% free of dyes and perfumes. All Free Clear is the number one laundry detergent brand recommended for sensitive skin by pediatricians, dermatologists and allergists. For a clean you can feel good about, all you need is All Free Clear. Lily Bug loves to explore the great outdoors while I'm here on the radio with you. I'm able to keep track of her whereabouts though, thanks to the Life360 Bluetooth tile. I clipped it onto her collar with a longer range, louder ring and new sos. Button tiles can be attached to everyday things like bicycles, keys, soccer bags and even pets. Life360 puts the real time location of the people and things you care about most in the palm of your hand. Link your life 360 and tile accounts and you'll be able to see everyone and everything that matters in one place on your Life360 map. Whether you're keeping an eye on elderly parents or waiting for your teen to safely drive home, stay connected to all you love with Life360. Visit life360.com or download the app today. Use the code DrLaura to get 15% off. That's life360.com code DrLora.

[Caller Brad]

What about the job, Dr. Laura? Is it okay if he says, well, I don't want to do the volleyball, I'd prefer to go and get a job. At 16, in his mind, he feels like he's learning skills.

[Dr. Laura]

He's learning skills to be an adult. That would be great. So find a club. Tell him we'll find club wrestling for you and we'll see how we can fit in some part time work. We support you in that. Let's figure out how it works. Yeah. Support him.

[Caller Brad]

Yep. Okay. Thank you. We felt like, you know, we wanted him more in school as his job and we would even pay him as easy money, sir.

[Dr. Laura]

He wants to earn it, damn it. There are so few kids his age who have that concept and you have a kid who has that concept and you want to undermine it. Tisk, Tisk, Tisk.

[Caller Brad]

I hear you. Thank you, Dr. Mora.

[Caller Kim]

Thank you.

[Dr. Laura]

You're very welcome. And when you want to call about the Kim and Brad thing, you just let me know. Okay? All right. My number, 1-800-375-2872. That was kind of a fun call. My number, 1-800/375-2872. If you like this podcast, be sure to rate it on Apple podcasts or your favorite place to listen to my podcast. Of course, I'd love if you gave me five stars. And be sure to share this podcast with a friend on Facebook or your preferred social media platform.

[Home Depot Representative]

Hear that? Spring is here and the Home Depot has great prices on grills to make this season yours. So if you're working on improving your hosting skills, you're going to want the next grill 4 burner gas grill for $229. And of course, pair it with the next grill 8 piece grill tool set. Now get outside and show off those new skills. Shop a wide selection of grills under $300 at the home Depot.